held up in rear, ridden over 4f out, some headway over 1f out, never dangerous
tracked leader, led 3f out, driven, edged left and headed near finish, no extra
mid-division, headway over 5f out, weakened quickly 4f out
keen, close up, ridden to chase leader over 2f out, weakened final furlong
close up, ridden over 2f out, stayed on near finish
mid-division, switched left over 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on close home
held up in rear, pushed along halfway, no impression
held up in rear, ridden and weakened over 2f out
held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on to lead near finish
led, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened over 1f out
Quite a competitive handicap here and one that should concern Soulacroix, Kerashan, Camrose and Zalongo, and we will take a chance on Zalongo. The ground may have gone against last-time winner Soulacroix once again. Amanda Perrett's gelding is most effective with cut underfoot, and unless there is overnight rain he will do well to follow up his recent course and distance win, in which the ground helped to string out the field. The win by Kerashan at Leicester last week reads better, though that is tempered by the fact the the early pace was easy and the form may not hold up. Nevertheless, the winner showed a decent enough turn of foot and is one for the short list here. Camrose is a standing dish in this sort of contest and is admirably consistent, winning in his turn. We expect another decent effort here, though he does look too high in the handicap to be winning. That leads us to Zalongo, who has not won since his debut, but who showed signs of a return to form over this trip here last time. A further 3lb drop, plus the assistance of Fallon from the saddle will definitely help his cause, and with doubts about some of the others, we will give him another chance to come good here.
Pukka (IRE) 11-4 (9-2) Behind, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 6, 6l behind Dubai Success (9-7) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-110 (2) hvy in Sept.
Camrose 10-1 (9-3) Held up in touch, headway over 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Ouninpohja (9-4) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp (2) gd in Sept.
El Tiger (GER) 40-1 (9-0) Chased leader 5f, last of 11, well behind Munsef (8-6) at Newmarket 1m 4f lst stk (1) gs in Sept.
Zalongo 20-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, effort over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 12, 8l behind Ouninpohja (9-4) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp (2) gd in Sept.
Kerashan (IRE) 7-2 (9-0) In touch, ridden to lead over 1f out, hung right inside final furlong, driven out, won at Leicester 1m 4f 3yo hcp (2) gd beating Royal Jet (8-4) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Soulacroix 7-1 (9-0) Held up, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, driven out, won at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Sept beating Nawamees (8-12) by 1l, 17 ran.
Nessen Dorma (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Soon led, headed over 8f out, remained prominent, driven to challenge over 3f out, stayed on same pace, 5th of 17, 9l behind Soulacroix (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Sept.
Look Again 33-1 (8-13) Chased leaders until weakened 2f out, 17th of 19, 10l behind Star of Light (8-13) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Sept.
Ebtikaar (IRE) 13-2 (8-9) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, edged left and every chance approaching final furlong, stayed on well, 3rd of 17, 2l behind Soulacroix (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Sept.
Political Intrigue 6-1 (9-2) Led for 2f, chased leader, ridden over 3f, weakened over 2f, last of 10, 16l behind Red Peony (8-13) at York 1m 4f 3yo hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Wild Savannah 20-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 19, 1 1/2l behind Star of Light (8-13) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Sept.
